Columbia (WACH)- When frigid temperatures are in the forecast thousands of Columbia’s homeless seek out a warm place to escape the cold night. But sadly because of the mass number of people looking to stay warm some are literally left out in the cold.
With overnight lows predicted to be in the 20's city shelters are opening their doors to help the homeless cope. Thursday night brought another round of near record lows.
The Oliver Gospel Mission accommodates ninety-eight men on a typical night. Mission president and CEO Wayne Fields says, "when we have inclement weather like we are having now the guys can come here and at least get in a warm place around some people who care for them"
When extreme weather hits Fields says they add thirty-two mats to the day room to help as many men as possible.
"One of the reason the men come here is not just because it's cold but because this is a safe and clean place for them to go," says Fields.
54-year-old Dennis was one of those men looking for a place to go. He was an iron worker; falling on bad times when he was laid off a year ago.
"When you put up steel buildings it costs a lot of money and there's not a lot of that going on," says Dennis.
Dennis came to the mission on December 1 and is already a valuable part of the shelter. He helps to keep chairs and tables in order and works with the volunteers preparing for meals.
But most of all Dennis says he's grateful to have a warm place to lay his head especially on these cold nights.
"Really I was hopeless and somehow I found this place, it’s really a blessing."
Fields says there are plans to build a women's growth center where they would provide the same services they do now for men. He says that could happen in the next few years.
Click here for information on the Oliver Gospel Mission.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWACH